mariners, traffickers of various descriptions; nor is any intimation given that these occupations were an hinderance to their spiritual progress. It was an observation also of a most exemplary prelate of our own Church, whose life was eminently distinguished by habits of piety and devotion, that “in order to dispose our hearts to devotion, the active "life is to be preferred to the contemplative," and that “to be doing good to mankind disposes the soul most powerfully to devo"tion."-" We are surrounded," says he, "with motives to piety and devotion, if we "would but mind them. The poor are de 66 66 66 66 signed to excite our liberality;-the miser able, our pity;—the sick, our assistance ;-"the ignorant, our instruction;—those that "are fallen, our helping hand. In those that "are vain, we see the vanity of this world; "in those that are wicked, our own frailty. "When we see good men rewarded, it con"firms our hope; and when evil men are punished, it excites us to fear."-These are the lessons which that excellent prelate learned, and which we may all learn from our intercourse with the world, provided we carry into it the same sense of religious duty, to enable us to turn them to so good account. 66 It is indeed no less gratifying than instructive, to know that examples have never been wanting to verify these remarks;-to know that men of all ranks and professions have distinguished themselves by blending religious principle with an unremitting and successful application to their secular concerns; nay, that they have hence obtained so much the larger share of public esteem, so much the brighter meed of honour and reputation among men, in addition to the approval of their own hearts. These are invaluable testimonies to the beneficial influence of pure religion upon the general interests of society. And (blessed be God!) they are not confined to times past. Many honourable and splendid instances of the same kind are still presented to our observation; insomuch that not an occupation or profession among us can be named, in which there are not very many individuals distinguished by their professional skill and ability, and by their assiduity in the discharge of its special duties, who at the same time "adorn the doctrine of God "their Saviour in all things," and are so much the more generally beloved and revered. Nor can I here forbear to notice how forcibly this injunction applies to those who belong to the highly important profession, for the study of which this Honourable Society is set apart. No pursuits appear to be more congenial to each other than those of religion and jurisprudence. The laws of our own country in particular, are founded on the basis of the Christian religion; its doctrines and duties being recognised in all our courts of justice, and interwoven with every part of our legislative code. The practitioner in this profession has, moreover, opportunities which the members of no other profession, perhaps, can enjoy to an equal extent, of observing the human heart in all its varieties; of tracing its windings and obliquities; and of comparing it with the standard of rectitude and truth. When a deep-rooted principle of religion comes in aid of these opportunities, the advantage must be incalculably great, and its influence cannot but be extended far and wide. An admirable instance of this is upon record, in the life of a very distinguished luminary of the law, once the pride and ornament of this society; of whom one of his biographers, most intimately acquainted with him, has said, "He that considers the active "part of his life, and with what unwearied P Sir Matthew Hale. 66 66 diligence and application of mind, he despatched all men's business which came "under his care, will wonder how he could "find any time for contemplation: he that "considers again the various studies he passed 66 66 66 through, and the many collections and ob"servations he hath made, may as justly "wonder how he could find any time for "action.”—Concerning the value of religion in its influence upon men's secular pursuits and occupations, this great man thus forcibly expresses his sentiments.-"Take a man that "is employed as a statesman or politician, though he have much wisdom and prudence, "it commonly degenerates into craft, and cunning, and pitiful shuffling, without the fear "of God: but mingle the fear of Almighty "God with that kind of wisdom, it renders "it noble, and generous, and stayed, and "honest, and stable. Again, take a man that " is much acquainted with the subtiler kind of learning, as philosophy for instance, without "the fear of God upon his heart, it will carry "him over to pride, arrogance, self-conceit, "curiosity, presumption: but mingle it with "the fear of God, it will ennoble that knowledge, carry it up to the honour and glory "of that God that is the Author of nature, to "the admiration of His power, wisdom, and 66 66 66 66 66 goodness it will keep him humble, modest, "sober, and yet rather with an advance than "detriment to his knowledge. Take a man "industrious in his calling, without the fear "of God with it, he becomes a drudge to worldly ends, vexed when disappointed, 'overjoyed in success: mingle but the fear "of God, it will not abate his industry, but "sweeten it: if he prosper, he is thankful to "God that gives him power to get wealth; if "he miscarry, he is patient under the will "and dispensation of the God he fears: it "turns the very employment of his calling "into a kind of religious duty and exercise of "his religion, without damage or detriment " to it." It would but weaken the impression of such noble sentiments as these, were I to pursue the subject farther. The application of them to his own case every man must make for himself. Every man has some calling or occupation in society (for his station, be it what it may, is, or ought to be, his occupation) in which he must "abide with God." Every calling has also its peculiar advantages and disadvantages; its opportunities of doing good, and its temptations to evil. To“ abide " in it with God," implies a diligent endeavour to act with reference to both these; and thus ון |